Longbow, Psions and Virus.

[notagoodusername]

What happened to the Longbow project when Virus arrived? Did Virus reach Longbow with the fastest ships, or did they cut off contact?

If so, did the switch Longbow off, or did it "receive" Virus with all the other data it is receiving a few years or more later? Could Virus get into the Longbow system (and would that be the ultimate Hobbyist or God-Strain Virus, or would it be more likely that it would be taken over by a later Pupeteer or similar strain)?

What about the Psions that were attached to it, how would it affect them? I can't see virus infecting them, but it could have some lasting psychological effects. A whole ton of mad psions with elite Imperial Secret defences? *That* is a pocket Empire, or a big threat in the future!

These are just unformed ideas I thought I'd try and get some ideas from y'all on...

Shane

 

[Antony]

Or for that matter what about the virus that reached Reference (the Scout services imperium data base repository) which had thousands of computers and data systems capable of networking. Talk about a god virus, this one would certainly become close to all knowing.

 

[GBoyett]

Originally posted by Antony:
Or for that matter what about the virus that reached Reference (the Scout services imperium data base repository) which had thousands of computers and data systems capable of networking. Talk about a god virus, this one would certainly become close to all knowing.

It could also become a hobbyist virus, with a scholarly bent. It would first investigate the facilities. Then if there was surviving starships Virus would send them out to collect information so Reference can be updated with news of the New Era.

That was good question. What did happen to Reference? Though I fear it was severly damage during the fighting and Hard Times. If viable Virus could sent raiders to find parts so the libraries can be repaired.

 

[Arsulon]

Interesting. Imagine a small fleet of vampire ships showing up and demanding the world's census data for the Third Survey. If the population's too primitive to answer or doesn't have any census data, they get an orbital bombardment and "thank you, have a nice day. - I.I.S.S."

 

[Liam Devlin]

Originally posted by Arsulon:
Interesting. Imagine a small fleet of vampire ships showing up and demanding the world's census data for the Third Survey. If the population's too primitive to answer or doesn't have any census data, they get an orbital bombardment and "thank you, have a nice day. - I.I.S.S."

____________________________
Being too primitive too reply, they'd have to do it the hard way--By orbital survey:
Count chimeys and Fires from Orbital heat sensors, if they (the natives) have lost even the use of radio telecommunications (TL4).
I think you paint too grim a picture. I can see some humor in this scenario.
"Virus ship A to Virus ship B"
"A, this is B, go ahead."
"Roger, Population seems to have reverted to Stone age-Bronze age tech, suggest we mark interdicted from further expansion. Deploy interdiction sats over..."

Wouldn't that a be a hoot--Virus preventing another AI-Virus ship from "exploiting" the primitives?!

 

[GBoyett]

Originally posted by Liam Devlin:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Arsulon:
Interesting. Imagine a small fleet of vampire ships showing up and demanding the world's census data for the Third Survey. If the population's too primitive to answer or doesn't have any census data, they get an orbital bombardment and "thank you, have a nice day. - I.I.S.S."

____________________________
Being too primitive too reply, they'd have to do it the hard way--By orbital survey:
Count chimeys and Fires from Orbital heat sensors, if they (the natives) have lost even the use of radio telecommunications (TL4).
I think you paint too grim a picture. I can see some humor in this scenario.
"Virus ship A to Virus ship B"
"A, this is B, go ahead."
"Roger, Population seems to have reverted to Stone age-Bronze age tech, suggest we mark interdicted from further expansion. Deploy interdiction sats over..."

Wouldn't that a be a hoot--Virus preventing another AI-Virus ship from "exploiting" the primitives?!

</font>[/QUOTE]A vampire Scout AHL, fully load with fighters and descendants of the scout crew, protecting a world or group of worlds. That would be an interesting scenario. The Virus could be one of the more benevolent strains.

Now let's imagine how the different PEs would handle such a scenario.

</font>

• Regency - Attempt to rescue the crew and take out the AHL. If the crew refuse to leave, not from fear but the cruiser is thier home, then thier deaths is unfortunate collateral damage.</font>
• Reformation Coalition (1st scenario) - The world was a major port during the 3rd Imperium so the RC want access the starports, factories, and warehouses. This would require either negotiating or taking out the AHL.</font>
• Reformation Coalition (2nd Scenario) - If the world was below average( Type C- Port Mid to low tech) the RC could just ignore the world and a treaty and understanding exists with the AHL. Depending on how while first contact and negotiations went there could be a resource/mining allowed on other bodies in the system, or the AHL holds title to the entire system for it's own use.</font>
• Reformation Coalition (3rd Scenario) - If the world was below average( Type C- Port Mid to low tech), but on a main or other strategic location, the AHL could allow a small military outpost in the system to help act as an early warning from possible invasion. The RC could have limited access to mine/research parts of the star system.</font>
• Solee - From what I'm reading from Liam, BARD, and others, Solee would either attack or ignore depending the importance of the star system and/or main world.</font>
• Terra Republic - Either for strategic or spiritual reason, the TR would take out the AHL. The world has important resources and tech, and the AHL is preventing the population to find salvation.</font>

 

[Arsulon]

Cool scenarios. Sounds like a natural for a TNE module/campaign.

 

[Arsulon]

I wonder if the Regency's experiments with artificial psionics would render the psions vulnerable to virus? Considering the research comes post-virus, I assume there are either safeguards in place or the active memory of the cybernetic components is too small to accomodate anything but an egg. On the other hand, you could have a group of artificial psions trained in computer empathy specifically as virus-killers.

 

[Liam Devlin]

An area of research I havena dealt with at all, I will admit (and duck under table from lightningbolts from on high). Have we asked Say, Starpilot/ Chris Griffen? He's done a bunch of work in the Regency...!

 

[Solo]

[/qb][/QUOTE]A vampire Scout AHL, fully load with fighters and descendants of the scout crew, protecting a world or group of worlds. That would be an interesting scenario. The Virus could be one of the more benevolent strains.

[/QB][/QUOTE]

As a scenario/campaign idea take it a little further. The PC's are the decendant crew of the AHL. They have to interact with the artificials (virus - A.I. /Robots/Ships). And are opposing the remaining human forces. Perhaps the hole thing is run by a GOD strain who wants to build a new imperium - with A.I.'s on top...

-S.

 

[GBoyett]

Originally posted by Solo:
As a scenario/campaign idea take it a little further. The PC's are the decendant crew of the AHL. They have to interact with the artificials (virus - A.I. /Robots/Ships). And are opposing the remaining human forces. Perhaps the hole thing is run by a GOD strain who wants to build a new imperium - with A.I.'s on top...

-S.

Depending the benevolence and compassion of the strain, the crew just consider the AHL part of the crew. Think of Andromeda and Rommy on Andromeda. The ship is not the captain, just a senior officer.

Though I doubt any of the Strains, as written, would be so willing to be subordinate to a human captain.

Still, it's something to investigate!

 

[aoehler]

Anyone read "The Jesus Incident" by Frank Herbert and Bill Ransom? It would fit this scenario perfectly. The story centers on a slower-than-light ship that is controlled by an AI computer. Long story short - the computer decides, after studying earth history, that since it controls life and death (low berths, food supply, etc.) that it is God and demands to be worshipped...

Just a note from a usual lurker,

Andy

 

[Liam Devlin]

I havanae read it, but I'm sure someone in the GDW TNE crew did--for the "God-strain Viruses." Even money to donuts they did. Good thinking, and welcome to the boards!